Scheduled for October 31, this launch will add 175.74 million TIA tokens, representing 16% of its complete provide, into circulation.
For many merchants, the important thing query is: Should you are taking a protracted or brief place on TIA?
TIA’s Unexpected Rally
TIA has seen a dramatic 40% surge in worth in latest weeks, far outperforming the broader market. For context, the CoinDesk 20 Index, which tracks the most important cryptocurrencies, solely gained 13% throughout the identical interval. This rally is especially stunning contemplating many merchants anticipated a worth drop because of the impending token unlock, which can improve the provision by over $1 billion price of tokens.
Historically, giant token unlocks are inclined to create bearish stress because the market absorbs the extra provide. Yet, this hasn’t been the case for TIA, as its worth surge contradicts the anticipated pattern.

Hedging and Short Squeezes
According to Wintermute, a serious participant within the crypto market-making area, there was a noticeable improve in TIA hedging exercise. Traders are utilizing each perpetual futures and over-the-counter (OTC) ahead agreements to mitigate potential draw back dangers from the large token launch.
Interestingly, the market’s bearish sentiment appears to have triggered a brief squeeze. In a brief squeeze, merchants betting in opposition to the asset (i.e., these anticipating the worth to fall) are pressured to shut their positions as the worth rises, pushing the worth even larger. This phenomenon seemingly contributed to the latest 40% rally in TIA’s worth.
Funding charges tied to TIA perpetual contracts, which have been unfavourable since July—indicating a heavy bearish bias—have since returned to impartial. This shift means that brief positions are being closed as TIA’s worth stays resilient, reinforcing upward momentum.
A Closer Look on the $100 Million Fundraise
Adding to TIA’s bullish momentum is the latest announcement of a $100 million fundraise, which elevated the Celestia Foundation’s money reserves to $155 million. Although particulars relating to using the funds stay unclear, the information additional fueled shopping for curiosity and will have induced some merchants to desert their brief positions.
Speculation is rife that the fundraise concerned an OTC deal, valuing the mission at $3.4 billion. Some observers consider the tokens from this sale, priced at $3 every, can be unlocked alongside the October 31 launch.
Is the Token Unlock Already Priced In?
According to Jake Ostovskis of Wintermute, the market might have already priced within the token unlock.
Many merchants started hedging in opposition to the unlock as early as July, resulting in an early wave of brief promoting. Now, with shorts being squeezed out, among the anticipated unfavourable influence from the unlock might have already performed out.